Akzo-Nobel Coatings recently announced the creation of the Collision Industry Advancement Initiative (CIAI) and provided it with first year funding of $250,000. Akzo created the foundation to aid in the growth, advancement and perception of the collision repair industry in North America. It also named a committee to review requests from industry organizations for financial support. 

The committee, chaired by Hammer & Dolly magazine Editor Sheila Loftus, appears to have worked pretty quickly because in November the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) became the first beneficiary of a CIAI grant. The automotive education provider, which was founded in 1989 by the Automotive Service Association (ASA), will receive a $50,000 contribution to continue their efforts in the creation and distribution of education and personal development programs for individuals pursuing career advancement in the automotive industry.

"Our industry is filled with more than a thousand Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) graduates," said AMI Board of Trustees Chairman John Francis, Jr. "The programs and courses that are provided through AMI can only be made available from the support of benefactors such as Akzo Nobel."

Jim Rees, general manager for Akzo Nobel Coatings Inc. Car Refinishes Division in North America commented on the AMI action: "Businesses throughout the world daily scrutinize investment choices. The choices are often difficult and frequently the options are greater than the resources. Akzo Nobel has chosen as part of our investment decision criteria to allocate funds towards industry stewardship, giving something back so that others may grow."

Advisory committee

In addition to Loftus, the CIAI advisory committee includes Geralynn Kottscade of Jerry's Body Shop in Mankata, Minnesota; Russell Thrall, the editor of the on-line newsletter Collision Week and technical services manager for I-CAR; Tom Moreland, National Accounts manager for Akzo Nobel North America; Andy Clawson, director of finances for Akzo Nobel North America; and Don Treschak of Treschak Enterprises, an automotive paint wholesaler in Toronto, Canada.

The CIAI committee will accept requests from any industry organization. It will meet twice a year, in October and March, to consider them. The requests can be for practically anything that will benefit the people working in the industry or the image of the industry.

Requests for funding can be made through the Akzo website, www.akzonobelcarrefinishes.net .